Sd.Kfz. 305 was the German designation for the Opel Blitz. This version, the Opel Blitz Funkkraftwagen was designated Sd.Kfz.305/17. The Germans named the superstructure on this version of the Opel Blitz an Einheitzkoffer which means it had a closed standardized superstructure. Trucks with this identical superstructure could be used for multiple purposes which can be referred back to the list of radio equipped trucks:
– Sd.Kfz. 305/15 Funksendekraftwagen: radio broadcast motor vehicle
– Sd.Kfz. 305/16 Funkkraftwagen: Radio motor vehicle
– Sd.Kfz. 305/17 Funkkraftwagen: radio motor vehicle
– Sd.Kfz. 305/18 Funkkraftwagen (Kzw./Lgw.): radio motor vehicle (SW/LW)
– Sd.Kfz. 305/19 Funkkraftwagen (Kzw.): radio motor vehicle (SW)
– Sd.Kfz. 305/20 Funkkraftwagen: radio motor vehicle
– Sd.Kfz. 305/21 Funkbeschickungskraftwagen: radio feeding motor vehicle
– Sd.Kfz. 305/22 Funkpeilkraftwagen: radio bearing motor vehicle
– Sd.Kfz. 305/23 Funkempfangs Kw./Horchfunkempfangs Kw./Funkbetriebs Kw: radio reception/interception radio reception/radio operation motor vehicle
– Sd.Kfz. 305/25 Funkmastkraftwagen: radio mast motor vehicle
– Sd.Kfz. 305/26 Radiosondekraftwagen: radiosonde motor vehicle
– Sd.Kfz. 305/27 Radiosondepeilkraftwagen: radiosonde bearing motor vehicle
– Sd.Kfz. 305/29 Ansteuerungssendekraftwagen: Approaching signal sending motor vehicle
The trucks differed probably only with their radio equipment and outer equipment which was used for each different purpose of the Opel Blitz like sending and receiving information and orders or searching forbidden radio equipment used by resistance groups.
This Opel Blitz, Opel Lighting, was used by a 4 man crew as a field radio broadcast unit to send and receive information and orders. The rack on top of the radio motor vehicle is part of the antenna. The Opel Blitz weighed 2100 kilograms and with its 6 cylinder engine it had a range of 315 kilometers.
Hello, good pictures of this Opel Blitz truck.
I have a (15 march 1941) photo of this truck, used in my (born)village.
Question
Was this radiotruck with antenne, used for informing (guarding) nearby FLAK and/or for the nearby scheinwerfer regiment(s)?
Do you you have more information about the function of this truck regarding the nachtjagd (how does it work?)?
Where these truck part of the Helle nachtjagd (operations)?
Kind Regards, Mart Heber, heber14860@gmail.com, Weert/Netherland
Hi Mart, Thank you for your kind words.
Originally designed for the Luftwaffe, but unfortunately we do not know how this radio car was used. The radio car was used by the Wehrmacht on all fronts, in addition to the Luftwaffe. The type Sd. Kfz. 305/17 is known as a radio vehicle, further substantive application is unknown. The different types go up to and including 305/137, it is likely that specific purposes of the car are reflected in the different types. For example, the Sd. Kfz. 305/100, a navigation vehicle with a 100 watt transmitter for communication with aircraft and positioning equipment. Unfortunately, we do not have the specific information regarding your question, on the other hand we are very curious about the photo. (tip: Wikipedia in German provides more information about the different types).